Method for verifying and/or monitoring the correct function of a supply device

Abstract

A method of checking and/or monitoring the correct operation of an adding device of a medical apparatus includes detecting a characteristic signal course being generated by the adding device. The medical apparatus includes an extracorporeal circuit with which the adding device is connected such that an agent can be introduced into the extracorporeal circuit via the adding device. The pressure loss in the extracorporeal circuit is measured and evaluated for checking and/or monitoring the correct operation of the adding device. The adding device for this purpose generates an oscillating pressure course.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of checking and/or monitoring correct operation of an adding device of a medical apparatus that includes an extracorporeal circuit with which the adding device is connected such that an agent can be introduced into the extracorporeal circuit via the adding device, said method comprising:
 detecting in the extracorporeal circuit a characteristic oscillating signal course being generated by the adding device, said characteristic oscillating signal course being generated by superimposing a corresponding oscillating movement of the adding device, via which a fluid is alternately added to and withdrawn from the extracorporeal circuit, on a continuous movement of the adding device. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the characteristic oscillating signal course is a characteristic pressure course. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the characteristic oscillating signal course includes a repeated alternating rise and fall of a signal. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the repeated alternating rise and fall of the signal includes a plurality of successive pulse-shaped signals. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the characteristic oscillating signal course is generated by a corresponding, repeated, and oscillating actuation of the adding device. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 5 , wherein volumes of the fluid moved during the repeated, oscillating actuation of the adding device are less than 1 ml. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the characteristic oscillating signal course is detected in a signal of a pressure sensor. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the characteristic oscillating signal course is detected in electrical parameters associated with a drive current of a pump arranged in the extracorporeal circuit for pumping fluid therethrough. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the characteristic oscillating signal course is detected by a frequency signal analysis. 
     
     
       10. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein actuation of the adding device leads to an addition of the agent into the extracorporeal circuit. 
     
     
       11. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the checking and/or monitoring of the correct operation of the adding device is effected continuously during the addition of the agent into the extracorporeal circuit. 
     
     
       12. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the checking and/or monitoring of the correct operation of the adding device is effected while the fluid flows through the extracorporeal circuit, said fluid being pumped through the extracorporeal circuit by a pump arranged therein. 
     
     
       13. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the checking and/or monitoring of the correct operation of the adding device is effected during operation of the medical apparatus. 
     
     
       14. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein, when a malfunction of the adding device is detected, at least one of the operation of the medical apparatus being interrupted, and a warning signal being generated, occurs. 
     
     
       15. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the agent is an anticoagulant, a drug, or another agent to be infused. 
     
     
       16. The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the anticoagulant is heparin. 
     
     
       17. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the adding device is a syringe pump with a syringe inserted therein. 
     
     
       18. The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the characteristic oscillating signal course is generated by a corresponding actuation of movement of a tappet of the syringe pump. 
     
     
       19. The method according to  claim 17 , wherein a corresponding characteristic oscillating movement is superimposed on a continuous translational movement of a tappet of the syringe pump for generating the characteristic oscillating signal course. 
     
     
       20. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method of checking and/or monitoring the correct operation of the adding device is effected by a control device of the medical apparatus. 
     
     
       21. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the medical apparatus is configured for dialysis, hemodialysis, hemofiltration, hemodiafiltration, adsorptive blood cleaning, a transfusion method, or an autotransfusion method. 
     
     
       22. A medical apparatus configured to accommodate an extracorporeal circuit, with an adding device connectable with the extracorporeal circuit such that via the adding device an agent can be introduced into the extracorporeal circuit, said medical apparatus comprising:
 a control element which actuates the adding device to generate a detectable characteristic oscillating signal course in the extracorporeal circuit, the characteristic oscillating signal course being generated by superimposing a corresponding oscillating movement of the adding device, via which a fluid is alternately added to and withdrawn from the extracorporeal circuit, on a continuous movement of the adding device. 
 
     
     
       23. The medical apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the control element evaluates the characteristic oscillating signal course. 
     
     
       24. The medical apparatus according to  claim 22 , further comprising a control element for detecting the characteristic oscillating signal course in the extracorporeal circuit. 
     
     
       25. The medical apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the adding device is a syringe pump in which a syringe is insertable, with a plunger of the syringe being movable via a tappet. 
     
     
       26. The medical apparatus according to  claim 22 , further comprising a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure course in the extracorporeal circuit. 
     
     
       27. The medical apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the adding device is connectable with an arterial line of a set of blood tubes for an extracorporeal method of blood treatment. 
     
     
       28. The medical apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the medical apparatus is configured for dialysis, hemodialysis, hemofiltration, hemodiafiltration, adsorptive blood cleaning, a transfusion method, or an autotransfusion method. 
     
     
       29. The medical apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the apparatus is a dialysis machine. 
     
     
       30. An adding device for addition of a medical fluid into a line, said adding device comprising:
 a control element which actuates the adding device to generate a characteristic oscillating signal course in the line, the characteristic oscillating signal course being generated by superimposing a corresponding oscillating movement of the adding device, via which the medical fluid is alternately added to and withdrawn from the extracorporeal circuit, on a continuous movement of the adding device; and 
 an element for detecting the characteristic oscillating signal course. 
 
     
     
       31. The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the characteristic oscillating signal course is measured over several, of the pulse-shaped signals corresponding to several periods of the oscillation. 
     
     
       32. The adding device according to  claim 30 , wherein the adding device is a syringe pump. 
     
     
       33. The adding device according to  claim 30 , wherein the line is an element of an extracorporeal circuit, or an infusion tube.